How to Write Scavenger Hunt Clues

One of the best parts about planning a scavenger hunt is writing the clues. These clues are found throughout the search area, leading participants to activities that must be completed to win the scavenger hunt. You can write scavenger hunt clues in hundreds of different ways, keeping hunters guessing as they complete their lists.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Insert your scavenger hunt clues into a crossword puzzle. There are online puzzle generators on EdHelper that can add another level of difficulty to your hunt (see Resources below).
2. Scribble down a complete hint and remove a key fact as you write scavenger hunt clues. The use of fill-in questions slows down participants as they figure out how to finish sentences.
3. Create a numerical code that needs to be used to figure out scavenger hunt clues. This code should be accompanied by a number and letter key, helping participants figure out the clues.
4. Generate a word scramble with key clues from your scavenger hunt. Online scramblers on the SuperKids website allow you to insert these clues and press a button to generate a simple word scramble (see Resources below).
5. Use quotes from advertisements, billboards and local buildings to guide your scavenger hunt. You can instruct an individual to travel to a place with a specific phrase and take a photo to continue the hunt.
6. Hide clues behind signs, newspaper stands and mailboxes to lead your hunters to the next location. You can write a series of clues that lead hunters from one place to another to avoid revealing the entire list of activities at the start.
7. Connect a series of pictures in your clues to make participants think before heading out to the next location. Photos of the United States presidents, found on the ClipArt website, can lead each group toward memorials, streets and statues in your community, without any reading involved (see Resources below).
8. Leave New Times Roman, Courier and Arial fonts behind as you write your scavenger hunt clues. You can use language-specific fonts from Fonts.com to add lessons on language to your scavenger hunt (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• Distribute scavenger hunt clues as close to the event as possible. You should place clues before handing out tasks lists to avoid giving any team a competitive advantage. It is wise to avoid telling anyone about your clues to keep the shroud of secrecy intact.